Various ways adopting heart-healthy routines positively impact the entire body
In a recent review, it has been found that following the American Heart Association's guidelines for good cardiovascular health can offer a multitude of benefits, going beyond just heart health.
The guidelines, known as "Life's Simple 7", include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, abstaining from smoking, and maintaining body weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure within healthy limits.
Research has shown that adhering to these guidelines can reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, as well as lower the risk of cancer and dementia. The benefits of good cardiovascular health extend to maintaining mobility, vision, hearing, and other functions.
One of the key areas where good cardiovascular health plays a significant role is in cognitive function. The review found that good cardiovascular health is associated with better cognition, including faster mental processing and greater verbal fluency, in middle age and later in life.
The benefits of good cardiovascular health begin at the cellular level by reducing inflammation and affecting other processes of aging. High glucose, cholesterol, and inflammation, factors relevant to heart health, can cause damage to tiny capillaries in the eye, increasing the risk for vision loss. Similarly, damage to blood vessels in the brain can increase the risk of stroke and some types of dementia.
Pregnancy is a huge strain on the heart, and poor cardiovascular health may make it difficult to manage the changes that occur during pregnancy. Maintaining good cardiovascular health can help ensure that the placenta, an organ full of blood vessels that helps nourish the growing fetus, functions optimally. This can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm births.
On the other hand, people who experience complications during pregnancy are at an elevated risk of developing heart disease later in life. Poor cardiovascular health in pregnant women may pass on increased health risks to their children.
The benefits of good cardiovascular health also extend to physical capabilities. Following the Life's Simple 7 practices, such as regular exercise, can help preserve muscle mass and strength. Damage to blood vessels in the peripheral vascular system can affect mobility, such as how fast you walk, your grip strength, and your ability to stand up from a chair.
In addition, it was also associated with lower risks of dementia and depression. The review found that good cardiovascular health is associated with better cognition, including faster mental processing and greater verbal fluency, in middle age and later in life.
In conclusion, maintaining good cardiovascular health is not just about preventing heart disease. It can help ensure a healthy pregnancy, lower the risk of cancer and dementia, improve mobility, and increase the chances of a healthy aging process.
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